13 Day Exploring Namibia

Project Description

Tour Description

The classic Namibian Safari. This is an introduction to almost all the major highlights Namibia has to offer.

The awe-inspiring landscapes of the Fish River Canyon, the surreal Namib Desert and the majestic mountain ranges in Damaraland and the amazing wildlife in the national parks and conservancies. This safari will leave you engrossed in Namibia.

Itinerary

Leaving Windhoek, we travel into the largest sand mass on Earth, the Kalahari Desert.

The Kalahari is a vast semi desert of wind-blown sand held by a sparse mantle of thorn scrub making it the largest continuous stretch of sand covering 9 African countries. Unlike other true deserts, the Kalahari does receive erratic rainfall. For many therefor “thirstland” is a fitting description. Lacking permanent surface water, the Kalahari is a challenging place to live except for those who have adapted to not only survive but flourish here. The Bushmen refer to it as the “Soul of the World”, an emotive description for this area! With its deep red sand dunes and endless grass plains interspersed with acacia’s and shrubs, it is still home to a surprising large amount of specially adapted wildlife. Enjoy the opportunity to experience the dunes and the wildlife and plants, in this desert environment.

We continue south through expansive rocky plains, visiting the unique Quiver tree forest. Nestled amongst huge dolerite boulders, stacked in a mysterious way, the area is also aptly referred to as “Giant’s Playground”. We continue to our lodge, situated in close vicinity to the Fish River Canyon. We can optionally explore the area on foot or on a guided nature drive in the later afternoon.

Our morning starts on the edge of the Fish River Canyon where we gaze into this magnificent geological phenomenon. The Fish River Canyon is located in the northern part of the Nama Karoo and it is the second largest canyon on earth, featuring a gigantic ravine that measures in total about 160 km long and up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep. The Fish River is the longest interior river found in Namibia, but its current flow is just a drop compared with the immense volume of water that poured down its length in ages past. We continue our journey past the Naute Dam towards the coastal town of Lüderitz. On the way to Lüderitz we stop at Garub to encounter the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert.

Kolmanskop is a deserted Diamond Mining Town in the Sperrgebiet National Park. Once a cosmopolitan center, a town built to last… until the diamonds ran out. Today Kolmanskop stands as a haunting monument to the thriving past. We will also visit Diaz Point and explore the coastal town of Lüderitz itself.

After an early breakfast we travel north along the Tiras Mountain Range to our lodge in the Namib Desert. This is the gateway to Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei, with some of the highest sand dunes on Earth towering over the white desert plains. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the pool, or taking part in optional activities offered at our lodge.

This morning demands an early start. The first rays of sunrise paint the mountains of sand into a variety of apricot, red and orange, contrasted against a crisp blue skyline, enrapturing our senses, and providing an opportunity to capture this awesome landscape on film. You will be mesmerized by the surreal Deadvlei, surrounded by the highest dunes and Sossusvlei, where the mostly dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst majestic dunes. Take the opportunity to walk up one of these dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath. Thereafter we visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert.

After breakfast we travel via the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Moon Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean. In Walvis Bay we visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent and a RAMSAR World Heritage Site. Over 80% of the African flamingos feed in this lagoon and present a breathtaking picture when they appear in groups. Having arrived in Swakopmund, the rest of the day is spent at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant summer climate and long stretched beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa. For the international guest, Swakopmund is a bohemian mix of German architecture and African time, a laid back attitude with adrenalin activities, misty mornings and desert heat. It is colorful, it is vibrant, but most of all, it is fun.

Swakopmund is often fondly referred to as the “playground of Namibia”, it has numerous activities ranging from, adventure to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert and the animals and plants that occur and survive here. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town whilst enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many café’s. Alternatively explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour, or view this awesome, environment from the air on a scenic flight. Find your inner child and push adrenaline to its limits with extreme adventures such as skydiving over the desert or quad biking and sand boarding on the dunes. Take time to get the feel of this quaint town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades and beach bar that has transformed into its own personality by the vibrant use of color and the bohemian lifestyle.

Heading further north, we travel via the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain (2.579m), into the Damaraland, one of the least populated and geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the rare desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. We visit to Twyfelfontein, a heritage site where Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2500 pictures some 6000 years ago! After a visit to a nearby Living Museum of the Damara we proceed on to the Petrified Forest – a geological phenomenon depicting the creation and evolution of some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here we also visit the Welwitschia mirabilis plant – the oldest living desert plant on Earth.

After a relaxed breakfast, we travel towards the Etosha National Park, famous for its vast amount of wildlife and unique landscape. Once we have reached our camp located on the outside of the National Park, we head into our first safari in the National Park. Together with our guide, we explore the various waterholes located close to Okaukujeo and the Andersson gate.

The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. The Park was proclaimed as Namibia’s first conservation area in 1907 by the then Governor, von Lindequist. Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the southern edge of the pan is accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the park is largely focussed around the waterholes, some of which are spring fed and some supplied from a borehole, ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species, or for an avid birder, in excess of 340 bird species. Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads link the over 30 water holes allowing the visitor an opportunity to do a real game viewing safari over the stretch of the park as each different area will provide different encounters.

Today your guide again takes you on a game drive in the Etosha National Park. We may encounter animal species we have not seen the previous day and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited. The Etosha Pan dominates the park. This salt pan desert, which is nearly completely enclosed by the park and is lined by numerous watering holes, is roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places. During Etosha’s notorious dry spells the pan is a deathly place, lying parched and cracked under the molten African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry spells as animals will then congregate closer to water. But even in the rainy season the park remains an abundant wildlife haven. You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life as the young foals, cubs and chicks are seen frolicking with their parents and the sprouting new green shrubs and grasses create a pleasing green oasis. In the afternoon we travel back to our lodge, where we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

After breakfast we continue southwards to Windhoek. We will visit the craft markets in the main street of the capital city, where after we are dropped off at our hotel or at the international airport for our return flight.

Departing Etosha, we travel south towards Windhoek, where the next two days are spent on a nature and wellness reserve situated amidst the scenically beautiful Aus Mountain range. Tomorrow afternoon we embark on a guided game drive in open vehicle.

Accommodation: GocheGanas Nature Reserve– Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14 / Friday GOCHEGANAS NATURE RESERVE

The entire day is spent at leisure on the game reserve. You can unwind with a wellness treatment in the modern and comprehensive wellness center, or you can explore the natural surrounding area on a scenic walk or by mountain bike.

Accommodation: GocheGanas Nature Reserve – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15 /Saturday DEPARTURE

We travel via mountainous terrain to the international airport or you can also be dropped off in Windhoek at your accommodation of choice.

⇒ All Meals, Accommodation and Activities as specified in the itinerary; Still Mineral Water in vehicle; Tourism Levy and Government Taxes where applicable; 24hrs Medical Evacuation Insurance; Portages

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IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Unabridged Birth Certificate – applies to ALL children under 18 years of age.
Effective 1 June 2015, South African Authorities require that all children, under the age of 18, travelling to / from South Africa, be in possession of their original unabridged birth certificate reflecting both parents full names and surname. Children travelling with only one parent or other person or where one parent or both parents are deceased, must be in possession of an affidavit from the remaining parent/s or guardian, permitting the child to travel or copy of the deceased person’s death certificate when applicable.
Please view our blog post for updated information.

Where is the pick-up/drop-off location?
You will be collected from your hotel in Windhoek.

Is this a private or scheduled tour?
This is a scheduled tour. You will stay in private upmarket lodges or hotels.

How many people will attend this tour?
This tour requires a minimum of 2 and allows a maximum of 6.

When does this tour start?
On selected Saturdays.

What kind of transport do you use?
Depending on how many people you’re travelling with a luxury sedan or minivan.

How do I secure my booking?
We require full payment 60 days prior. Please contact us to check availability, and visit the payments page on our website here to make a secure online payment. You can pay with either credit card or bank transfer using the following payment reference: The name of your tour/safari – Your Name

Will we have a guide from the start?
Yes, you will have a guide from the moment you’re picked up until the moment you’re dropped off.

What kind of clothing do I need to bring?
During winter (May – August), make sure you bring a jacket and a cap for early morning game drives, as it can get quite cold. Always bring some light clothes as well, as it can get quite hot when the sun shines, even during winter. Please read our blog post below to learn what exactly to bring on a safari.

How much cash do I require for daily expenses?
We recommend that you bring around R500 per person per day for some extra meals and souvenirs.

In what languages is this tour available?
This tour is conducted in both German and English.

How much luggage am I allowed to bring?
One medium sized suitcase and one shoulder bag.

Do we get to see the “Big Five”?
We visit Etosha National Park, which is home to four of the Big Five – elephant, rhino, lion and leopard.

What activities are added with the 2 night extension?
Those days are spent on a nature and wellness reserve, which is situated amidst the scenically beautiful Aus mountain range. Enjoy the game drives, the wellness treatments or explore the surrounding area on a scenic walk or on a mountain bike.

Are children allowed on this tour?
Only one child permitted per two adults sharing and subject to availability at properties, no children under 7 years old.